Fire Engine Plate, "American 5"
Fire Engine Plate, "American 5"
Usage conditions apply
- Description (Brief)
- At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
- This nickel-plated brass engine plate has “AMERICAN” and the number “5” engraved into the face that is filled with black enamel. There are small incised lines curving around the “5” and above “American.” There are holes at the top and corners of the plate, which allowed the plate to be attached to the engine. This engine plate may have adorned the engine of the American Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 5 of Lancaster, Pennsylvania during the late 19th century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- plate, fire engine
- date made
- 19th century
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States
- Physical Description
- oak (overall material)
- nickel-plate (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 1/2 in x 6 1/2 in; 13.97 cm x 16.51 cm
- ID Number
- 2005.0233.0918
- accession number
- 2005.0233
- catalog number
- 2005.0233.0918
- Credit Line
- Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
- subject
- Fire Fighting
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
- Work
- Cultures & Communities
- Firefighting Collection
- Fire Engine Plates
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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